Published: Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.

Johnson Farm noon series continues

The Historic Johnson Farm is continuing its noontime series of activities. Each will relate to life on a farm as it was in the past and is in today’s fast-paced world.

Participants should bring their own bagged lunch and the volunteers at the farm will provide beverages and a dessert to enjoy while taking part in the day’s activity.

Each session begins at noon and is $5. Call for reservations, 828-891-6585, so there is enough dessert to go around. The farm is at 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, across from the Rugby Middle School.

u Feb. 7 — Appalachian Homestead Crafts

Learn how homesteader’s crafts helped to make rural life easier.

u Feb. 21 — Raising Chickens 101

Learn all about this new “green” hobby that is being embraced by people from all levels of society who wish to live a more sustainable life.

u March 6 — Keeping Bees

Find out everything you need to know to be a successful bee keeper and honey producer.

u March 20 — Wool, the Miracle Fiber

Hear the long history of wool and its many uses. This program is being led by a member of the Western North Carolina Heritage Weavers who will display many types of wool and their uses.

For more information, call 828-891-6585 or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org.

Author Rose Senehi

at the library Tuesday

Rose Senehi will discuss her books at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kaplan Auditorium at the Henderson County Public Library.

“Render Unto the Valley” is the third “stand alone” novel in Senehi”s Blue Ridge series and takes place in the mountain farming community of Fairview just outside Asheville.

Senehi is that rarest of combinations: fiction writer and environmental activist. She writes contemporary suspense/romance novels — all with women as the main character. Her books have an environmental theme woven into the plots.

The Friends of the Library will sponsor this program. It’s free and everyone is welcome. Doors to the Kaplan Auditorium open at 1:30 and seating is first come, first served until the audience capacity of 160 is reached.

‘Roses in December’ opens HLT’s season

“Roses in December,” a play of letters by Victor Cahn, will be presented by Hendersonville Little Theatre from Friday through Feb. 12 at the Event Center behind HLT’s new location at 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville. This is the first of HLT’s bonus plays and will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Feb.12.

The play is a series of letters between Carolyn Meyers, an official in a college alumni office who invtes Joel Gordon, a well-known author, to attend the 35th reunion of his class. Joel, however, does not care to participate in any function, let a lone a reunion. Carolyn then begins a series of cajoling letters trying to persuade him to change his mind. Their correspondence is both witty and eventually revealing as the two explore the past, romance and a mystery.

Richard Stevens will make his stage debut as Joel. Alex Foote, who played Vera Claythorne in “And Then There Were None” last season, will be Carolyn. Paula Orr directs; Jonathan Forrester is producer; and John Arnett is designing the set.

Because the play runs only one weekend, permanent seating will not apply. Seating will be open, and there will be no walk-in box office. Reservations will be taken only by phone by calling 692-1082.

Lecture, book signing by Robert Morgan

The Heritage Museum will host a lecture and book signing by award-winning author and Henderson County native Robert Morgan at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Historic Courthouse courtroom.

Morgan will discuss his new book, “Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion.” The book covers Thomas Jefferson and nine other Americans whose adventurous spirits and lust for land pushed the westard boundaries. He is the author of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, most notably his novel “Gap Creek,” and his biography of Daniel Boone, both of which were national best-sellers.

The lecture will be followed by the book signing and a “sampling of mountain cooking” in the Carolina First Community Room.

Reservations are not required for the free event. For more information, call 828-694-1619 or visit www.henderson

countymuseum.org.

Mardi Bras Blues Band at the library Feb. 13

The Mardi Gras Blues Show Band will be in concert at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Kaplan auditorium of the Henderson County Public Library.

The Mardi Gras Blues Show Band was formed more than 15 years ago in Hendersonville by several retired amateur, semi-professional and professional brass players.

Featuring concert and dance entertainment, the group of seven men loves to perform the good old standards, show tunes, patriotic and festival theme songs.

This free program is sponsored by Friends of the Henderson County Library. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.

Picture book workshop at the Fountainhead

Paddy Lynch, Ph.D., will be teaching a picture book workshop geared toward professionals in early childhood education at the Fountainhead Bookstore. The workshop will focus on ways to identify how picture books support literacy development; the layout and design of illustrations to see how they complement the text; and variations within the genre.

Lynch earned her Ph.D. in elementary education with a concentration on literacy, from the University of South Carolina. She retired from the Henderson County Public School system in 2010 and is the children’s book buyer at The Fountainhead Bookstore.

The sessions will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on three consecutive Mondays, Feb. 13, 21 and 28, and continuing education/renewal credit will be given upon request. The cost is $45, which includes a copy of “A Family of Readers,” by the editors of the Horn Book, as well as other resources. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. To reserve a place, call The Fountainhead Bookstore at 697-1870.

Wednesday Night at the Movies at Black Bear

Transition Hendersonville’s Wednesday Night at the Movies will present the world premiere of “The World We Choose,” a short film by local filmmaker David Weintraub, at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Black Bear Cafe, 318 Main St., Hendersonville.

“The World We Choose” explores the convergence of the end of cheap oil, climate change and economic uncertainty and how rising from the ashes of the old are vibrant communities that are unleashing themselves from dependency on false notions of growth and reliance on oil and re-learning how to become resilient, self-reliant communities.

There is no charge for this event. For information, visit www.transition hendersonville.com.

Celebrating importance of art in a child’s life

The Arts Council of Henderson County has announced the dates for Mentors & Students, its trilogy of exhibitions celebrating the importance of art in a child’s life.

All of the art exhibitions will be in the First Citizens Bank Main Street gallery at 539 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Gallery hours for each show will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. All shows are free.

The first Mentors & Students exhibition will be “The Art of Our Children: Elementary Student Exhibition,” which will open Feb. 17 and be on display through March 2. The opening reception, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 17, will include a performance by the Hendersonville Children’s Choir.

“Art Teachers Create: Third Annual Exhibition” follows the elementary show, opening on March 9. The show features the work of the artists and art teachers who provide art instruction to Henderson County students. The Mentors exhibit closes March 23.

The third exhibit w­ill be “Artists of Tomorrow: Secondary Student Exhibition” featuring the art of Henderson County’s middle and high school students. This exhibit will open March 30 and closes April 13.

All three exhibitions are open to participation by public, private, parochial and home-schooled students and art teachers in Henderson County. The First Citizens Bank Main Street gallery is handicapped-accessible.

Teachers, students and parents looking for more information should contact the Arts Council at acofhc@bellsouth.net or 828-693-8504.

Polk County Saluda Arts Festival seeking exhibitors

The ninth annual Saluda Arts Festival, sponsored by the Saluda Business Association, is scheduled for May 19 in historic downtown Main Street in Saluda.

With a reduced exhibit fee of $50 and a non-jury event, festival organizers are expecting a large number of entries. Some types of work (i.e. jewelry) will be accepted on a limited basis. Early entries will be given first choice of booth location.

Applications for participation can be downloaded from the www.saluda.com website or by contacting Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or email sswelsh@tds.net. Applications are due by March 15.

Transylvania County Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair planned

The Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair will be from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the historic Silvermont Mansion in Brevard. Plan your wedding in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the “Land of Waterfalls.”

The bridal fair will simplify the planning process by having the best local wedding professionals available to answer questions.

Several local accommodations will be offering special rates for visiting attendees, and there is no charge to attend the fair. The Greystone Inn of Lake Toxaway, Bradley Creek Falls and Event Center, and Kaelee Denise Photography are offering the grand prizes, and several other door prizes will also be presented to the first 80 brides to register and attend.

Starting at 12:30 p.m., visitors can stroll through the tasting room and enjoy a sampling of wedding food and wedding cake.

Fairy Tale Gowns will be showcasing wedding gowns throughout the afternoon, and from 1 to 4 p.m., attendees can listen to wedding professionals share tips and advice on planning the perfect wedding and honeymoon through a series of seminars.

Allison Taylor of WNC Wedding & Events (www.wncweddings.net) will be hosting events for visiting wedding planners throughout the weekend.

Register for the 2012 Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair by email at aloha.sevenseastravel@hotmail.com or call Cherie at 828-577-3786.

Fifth House to play for Cupid’s Ball Feb. 18

Funky, Southern soul band Fifth House will provide the music for Cupid’s Ball: A Masquerade for the Arts from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18, at the Glen Cannon Country Club.

Fifth House is steeped in the great American funk, rock and soul traditions with a Southern leaning.

To learn more about the band go to: www.reverb nation.com/fifthhouse or www.fifthhouse.org.

This is a gala event and costumes and/or a mask are encouraged. You can make your own mask or purchase one at the door for $5.

There will be prizes awarded for the best costume and best mask.

Proceeds from the ball will benefit The Transylvania Community Arts Council’s youth programs including arts in schools, summer art camps and Kids Art Day.

Tickets are $50 and include music by Fifth House, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee, desserts and one glass of wine.

There will also be an art auction with items from Drew Deane and Ellen Stinchcomb, and tickets to the Spring Tour of Homes and the upcoming Jamie Laval Celtic concerts in Brevard and much more.

To order tickets to the Cupid’s Ball, call TC Arts Council at 828-884-2787.

Buncombe County ALO to present Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte’ at DWT

The Asheville Lyric Opera brings Mozart’s comic opera, “Così fan tutte” (All Women Are Like That), to the Diana Wortham Theatre this February — the month for lovers.

A pair of strapping young sailors is sure their lovers will be faithful to them. Surprisingly, their friend Don Alfonso challenges their convictions. He persuades them to disguise themselves as cowboys in an attempt to woo each other’s girlfriend.

At the same time, the girls’ handmaid tries to teach them a similar lesson, act as men do: When your lovers depart, play the field. In a whirlwind of confusion, people are deliberately tricked, bringing an outcome of shame quickly followed by forgiveness. In the end, they all arrive at a deeper understanding of who they really are and how it redefines their understanding of love.

ALO’s production will be set in the 1920s in Naples, Italy.

“Così fan tutte” will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 and 18. For tickets, contact the theater box office at 828-257-4530. A pair of tickets starts at $60. Adult tickets range from $30-$53 with student tickets available from $17-$35. Go to www.dwtheatre.com to purchase tickets online.

For more information about “Così fan tutte,” call 828-236-0670 or go to the Asheville Lyric Opera’s website, www.asheville lyric.org.

<p>Henderson County</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><h3>Johnson Farm noon series continues</h3>
<p>The Historic Johnson Farm is continuing its noontime series of activities. Each will relate to life on a farm as it was in the past and is in today’s fast-paced world.</p><p>Participants should bring their own bagged lunch and the volunteers at the farm will provide beverages and a dessert to enjoy while taking part in the day’s activity.</p><p>Each session begins at noon and is $5. Call for reservations, 828-891-6585, so there is enough dessert to go around. The farm is at 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, across from the Rugby Middle School.</p><p>u Feb. 7  Appalachian Homestead Crafts</p><p>Learn how homesteader’s crafts helped to make rural life easier.</p><p>u Feb. 21  Raising Chickens 101</p><p>Learn all about this new green hobby that is being embraced by people from all levels of society who wish to live a more sustainable life.</p><p>u March 6  Keeping Bees</p><p>Find out everything you need to know to be a successful bee keeper and honey producer.</p><p>u March 20  Wool, the Miracle Fiber</p><p>Hear the long history of wool and its many uses. This program is being led by a member of the Western North Carolina Heritage Weavers who will display many types of wool and their uses.</p><p>For more information, call 828-891-6585 or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org.</p><p><b>Author Rose Senehi</p><p>at the library Tuesday</p><p>Rose Senehi will discuss her books at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kaplan Auditorium at the Henderson County Public Library.</p><p>Render Unto the Valley is the third stand alone novel in Senehis Blue Ridge series and takes place in the mountain farming community of Fairview just outside Asheville.</p><p>Senehi is that rarest of combinations: fiction writer and environmental activist. She writes contemporary suspense/romance novels  all with women as the main character. Her books have an environmental theme woven into the plots.</p><p>The Friends of the Library will sponsor this program. It’s free and everyone is welcome. Doors to the Kaplan Auditorium open at 1:30 and seating is first come, first served until the audience capacity of 160 is reached.</p><h3>Roses in December’ opens HLT’s season</h3>
<p>Roses in December, a play of letters by Victor Cahn, will be presented by Hendersonville Little Theatre from Friday through Feb. 12 at the Event Center behind HLT’s new location at 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville. This is the first of HLT’s bonus plays and will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Feb.12.</p><p>The play is a series of letters between Carolyn Meyers, an official in a college alumni office who invtes Joel Gordon, a well-known author, to attend the 35th reunion of his class. Joel, however, does not care to participate in any function, let a lone a reunion. Carolyn then begins a series of cajoling letters trying to persuade him to change his mind. Their correspondence is both witty and eventually revealing as the two explore the past, romance and a mystery.</p><p>Richard Stevens will make his stage debut as Joel. Alex Foote, who played Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None last season, will be Carolyn. Paula Orr directs; Jonathan Forrester is producer; and John Arnett is designing the set.</p><p>Because the play runs only one weekend, permanent seating will not apply. Seating will be open, and there will be no walk-in box office. Reservations will be taken only by phone by calling 692-1082.</p><h3>Lecture, book signing by Robert Morgan</h3>
<p>The Heritage Museum will host a lecture and book signing by award-winning author and Henderson County native Robert Morgan at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Historic Courthouse courtroom.</p><p>Morgan will discuss his new book, Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion. The book covers Thomas Jefferson and nine other Americans whose adventurous spirits and lust for land pushed the westard boundaries. He is the author of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, most notably his novel Gap Creek, and his biography of Daniel Boone, both of which were national best-sellers.</p><p>The lecture will be followed by the book signing and a sampling of mountain cooking in the Carolina First Community Room.</p><p>Reservations are not required for the free event. For more information, call 828-694-1619 or visit www.henderson</p><p>countymuseum.org.</p><h3>Mardi Bras Blues Band at the library Feb. 13</h3>
<p>The Mardi Gras Blues Show Band will be in concert at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Kaplan auditorium of the Henderson County Public Library.</p><p>The Mardi Gras Blues Show Band was formed more than 15 years ago in Hendersonville by several retired amateur, semi-professional and professional brass players.</p><p>Featuring concert and dance entertainment, the group of seven men loves to perform the good old standards, show tunes, patriotic and festival theme songs.</p><p>This free program is sponsored by Friends of the Henderson County Library. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.</p><h3>Picture book workshop at the Fountainhead</h3>
<p>Paddy Lynch, Ph.D., will be teaching a picture book workshop geared toward professionals in early childhood education at the Fountainhead Bookstore. The workshop will focus on ways to identify how picture books support literacy development; the layout and design of illustrations to see how they complement the text; and variations within the genre.</p><p>Lynch earned her Ph.D. in elementary education with a concentration on literacy, from the University of South Carolina. She retired from the Henderson County Public School system in 2010 and is the children’s book buyer at The Fountainhead Bookstore.</p><p>The sessions will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on three consecutive Mondays, Feb. 13, 21 and 28, and continuing education/renewal credit will be given upon request. The cost is $45, which includes a copy of A Family of Readers, by the editors of the Horn Book, as well as other resources. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. To reserve a place, call The Fountainhead Bookstore at 697-1870.</p><h3>Wednesday Night at the Movies at Black Bear</h3>
<p>Transition Hendersonville’s Wednesday Night at the Movies will present the world premiere of The World We Choose, a short film by local filmmaker David Weintraub, at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Black Bear Cafe, 318 Main St., Hendersonville.</p><p>The World We Choose explores the convergence of the end of cheap oil, climate change and economic uncertainty and how rising from the ashes of the old are vibrant communities that are unleashing themselves from dependency on false notions of growth and reliance on oil and re-learning how to become resilient, self-reliant communities.</p><p>There is no charge for this event. For information, visit www.transition hendersonville.com.</p><h3>Celebrating importance of art in a child’s life</h3>
<p>The Arts Council of Henderson County has announced the dates for Mentors & Students, its trilogy of exhibitions celebrating the importance of art in a child’s life.</p><p>All of the art exhibitions will be in the First Citizens Bank Main Street gallery at 539 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Gallery hours for each show will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. All shows are free.</p><p>The first Mentors & Students exhibition will be The Art of Our Children: Elementary Student Exhibition, which will open Feb. 17 and be on display through March 2. The opening reception, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 17, will include a performance by the Hendersonville Children’s Choir.</p><p>Art Teachers Create: Third Annual Exhibition follows the elementary show, opening on March 9. The show features the work of the artists and art teachers who provide art instruction to Henderson County students. The Mentors exhibit closes March 23.</p><p>The third exhibit w­ill be Artists of Tomorrow: Secondary Student Exhibition featuring the art of Henderson County’s middle and high school students. This exhibit will open March 30 and closes April 13.</p><p>All three exhibitions are open to participation by public, private, parochial and home-schooled students and art teachers in Henderson County. The First Citizens Bank Main Street gallery is handicapped-accessible.</p><p>Teachers, students and parents looking for more information should contact the Arts Council at acofhc@bellsouth.net or 828-693-8504.</p><h3>Polk County Saluda Arts Festival seeking exhibitors</h3>
<p>The ninth annual Saluda Arts Festival, sponsored by the Saluda Business Association, is scheduled for May 19 in historic downtown Main Street in Saluda.</p><p>With a reduced exhibit fee of $50 and a non-jury event, festival organizers are expecting a large number of entries. Some types of work (i.e. jewelry) will be accepted on a limited basis. Early entries will be given first choice of booth location.</p><p>Applications for participation can be downloaded from the www.saluda.com website or by contacting Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or email sswelsh@tds.net. Applications are due by March 15.</p><h3>Transylvania County Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair planned</h3>
<p>The Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair will be from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the historic Silvermont Mansion in Brevard. Plan your wedding in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Land of Waterfalls.</p><p>The bridal fair will simplify the planning process by having the best local wedding professionals available to answer questions.</p><p>Several local accommodations will be offering special rates for visiting attendees, and there is no charge to attend the fair. The Greystone Inn of Lake Toxaway, Bradley Creek Falls and Event Center, and Kaelee Denise Photography are offering the grand prizes, and several other door prizes will also be presented to the first 80 brides to register and attend.</p><p>Starting at 12:30 p.m., visitors can stroll through the tasting room and enjoy a sampling of wedding food and wedding cake.</p><p>Fairy Tale Gowns will be showcasing wedding gowns throughout the afternoon, and from 1 to 4 p.m., attendees can listen to wedding professionals share tips and advice on planning the perfect wedding and honeymoon through a series of seminars.</p><p>Allison Taylor of WNC Wedding & Events (www.wncweddings.net) will be hosting events for visiting wedding planners throughout the weekend.</p><p>Register for the 2012 Naturally Elegant Bridal Fair by email at aloha.sevenseastravel@hotmail.com or call Cherie at 828-577-3786.</p><h3>Fifth House to play for Cupid’s Ball Feb. 18</h3>
<p>Funky, Southern soul band Fifth House will provide the music for Cupid’s Ball: A Masquerade for the Arts from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18, at the Glen Cannon Country Club.</p><p>Fifth House is steeped in the great American funk, rock and soul traditions with a Southern leaning.</p><p>Members of the band include Corey Bullman, guitar/vocals; Forrest Smith, guitar; Rob Heyer, bass; Mike Ashworth, drums/vocals; Brian Turner, keys; C. Scott, trumpet, and Isaac Wells, percussion.</p><p>To learn more about the band go to: www.reverb nation.com/fifthhouse or www.fifthhouse.org.</p><p>This is a gala event and costumes and/or a mask are encouraged. You can make your own mask or purchase one at the door for $5.</p><p>There will be prizes awarded for the best costume and best mask.</p><p>Proceeds from the ball will benefit The Transylvania Community Arts Council’s youth programs including arts in schools, summer art camps and Kids Art Day.</p><p>Tickets are $50 and include music by Fifth House, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee, desserts and one glass of wine.</p><p>There will also be an art auction with items from Drew Deane and Ellen Stinchcomb, and tickets to the Spring Tour of Homes and the upcoming Jamie Laval Celtic concerts in Brevard and much more.</p><p>To order tickets to the Cupid’s Ball, call TC Arts Council at 828-884-2787.</p><h3>Buncombe County ALO to present Mozart’s Così fan tutte’ at DWT</h3>
<p>The Asheville Lyric Opera brings Mozart’s comic opera, Così fan tutte (All Women Are Like That), to the Diana Wortham Theatre this February  the month for lovers.</p><p>A pair of strapping young sailors is sure their lovers will be faithful to them. Surprisingly, their friend Don Alfonso challenges their convictions. He persuades them to disguise themselves as cowboys in an attempt to woo each other’s girlfriend.</p><p>At the same time, the girls’ handmaid tries to teach them a similar lesson, act as men do: When your lovers depart, play the field. In a whirlwind of confusion, people are deliberately tricked, bringing an outcome of shame quickly followed by forgiveness. In the end, they all arrive at a deeper understanding of who they really are and how it redefines their understanding of love.</p><p>ALO’s production will be set in the 1920s in Naples, Italy.</p><p>Così fan tutte will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 and 18. For tickets, contact the theater box office at 828-257-4530. A pair of tickets starts at $60. Adult tickets range from $30-$53 with student tickets available from $17-$35. Go to www.dwtheatre.com to purchase tickets online.</p><p>For more information about Così fan tutte, call 828-236-0670 or go to the Asheville Lyric Opera’s website, www.asheville lyric.org.</p>